RFID for Air Cargo

An automated RFID-based tracking solution would not only solve most of the problems airlines face in managing unit load devices (ULDs), but also lead to RFID usage for more applications. July 30, 2007- RFID adoption in the airline industry has lagged behind retail and other sectors. In the airline industry, RFID could potentially be used to track unit load devices (ULDs) and other ground-handling equipment,as well as time-definite (TD) cargo shipments, passenger baggage and spare aircraft parts.

An automated RFID-based tracking solution could not only address most of the prevalent problems airlines face in ULD management, but also emerge as the inflection point for RFID's adoption in that industry, leading to its wider usage in more applications.Airlines need to cut cargo operational costs by efficient utilization of all ground cargo-handling assets, particularly the ULDs, aluminum pallets or containers they use. Pallets are utilized to stack air cargo shipments, while containers are used for loading baggage aboard an aircraft. One endemic problem airlines face—and one that directly impacts carriage capacity—is poor ULD tracking. Considerable working airline capital is deployed maintaining a rolling stock of ULDs.